| News and events in Pittsfield, Mass.
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Nearly 5% Budget Increase Proposed For PittsfieldBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:56PM / Monday, May 12, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city's operating budget and water/sewer rates are on Tuesday's City Council meeting agenda.
Mayor Peter Marchetti has submitted an order to raise and appropriate $226,246,942 for the fiscal year 2026 budget, a nearly 4.8 percent increase from the previous year. It includes $86,450,361 for the school department, $11,202,345 for the department of public services, and $15,468,750 for the Pittsfield police.
Marchetti has also asked that $2 million in free cash be applied to offset the FY26 tax rate.
While these items are on the agenda for Tuesday, they are typically referred to the Committee of the Whole, and departments are deliberated on a
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BeatNest Celebrates Grand Opening in New SpaceBy Breanna Steele, iBerkshires Staff
12:36PM / Monday, May 12, 2025 | |
The space has private recording areas and room for group classes. PITTSFIELD, Mass. — BeatNest, an electronic music program, celebrated its grand opening at 163 North St. on Saturday. This new space is about 10 times bigger than its former space, owner Geoffrey Carter said, and being on North Street provides more visibility. "The street visibility has been great because people just walk by and they can see my sign," he said. "I've always been looking for an upgrade to teach bigger groups of classes where I can do group events and expand my offerings." Carter says the number of classes and the number of students have grown, prompting 0 Comments
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Temporary Closure Announced for Section of Ashuwillticook Rail Trail| 12:22PM / Monday, May 12, 2025 | |
CHESHIRE, Mass.— The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has announced a temporary closure of a section of the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail. Beginning on Monday, May 12, 2025, and continuing through Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the trail will be closed between Nobody’s Road North and Harbor Road in the Town of Cheshire. The closure will be in effect daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to allow for hazard tree removal work. 0 Comments
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Greylock Federal Webinar: Navigating Financial Uncertainty| 10:21AM / Monday, May 12, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Greylock Federal Credit Union, in partnership with GreenPath Financial Wellness, will be offering the upcoming webinar, "Navigating Financial Uncertainty," on Wednesday, May 14. The free webinar will be held from 2-2:45 p.m. and will discuss initial steps to take during financial uncertainty; community resources to access during a financial transition; and ways to prepare for the future. Those interested can attend the live session or register and receive a recording. To register, visit greylock.org/CEC. 0 Comments
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Pittsfield School Committee Approves Long-Anticipated Teacher ContractBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
05:11AM / Monday, May 12, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The School Committee last week formally approved a three-year contract with the United Educators of Pittsfield after more than a year of negotiations.
Under the contract, teachers will make between about $65,000 at Step 1 with a bachelor's degree and about $128,500 at Step 18 with a doctorate in fiscal year 2027. It also reduces the number of half days scheduled for professional development. The UEP represents classroom teachers, guidance counselors, department heads, and other specialists.
"UEP started looking at what we wanted to present for the contract back in October of 2023," President Jeanne Lemmond said after the vote was made at Reid
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Mill Town Foundation Announces 2025 Core Impact Award Honorees for Pittsfield Educators| 03:38PM / Sunday, May 11, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The Mill Town Foundation, in partnership with Pittsfield Public Schools and with support from the Feigenbaum Foundation, has announced the honorees of the 2025 Core Impact Awards. This initiative recognizes educators within the Pittsfield Public School District for their contributions to student learning, classroom innovation, and community involvement. The Core Impact Awards annually select one full-time teacher or school staff member from each of Pittsfield's 14 public schools. The nomination process involved an open community call for submissions from students, families, colleagues, and residents. A volunteer, independent Selection Committee, comprising
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Letter: Dear People of DaltonLetter to the Editor,
09:00PM / Saturday, May 10, 2025 | |
 To the Editor:
Attendance at the Dalton annual town meeting, which was twice Dalton's previous best, was nothing short of amazing. This level of community involvement made clear that Dalton residents do care about their town and are committed to seeing that decisions are made with the best interests of the community in mind. I was particularly pleased because such attendance increases the likelihood that the voting more closely aligns with the wishes of the majority of residents in Dalton and clear direction is every town leader's dream. So, I thank you all for coming, for listening, for asking questions, for being engaged, for staying the many hours needed, and for casting your
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PCTV To Host Eatza Pizza Fundraiser | 03:45PM / Saturday, May 10, 2025 | |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Community Television is holding "Eatza Pizza" at Berkshire Hills Country Club on Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. The event will feature seven of the best pizza restaurants in the Berkshires. The event is a fundraiser for the non-profit television station and sister radio station 89.7 WTBR-FM. The event will feature pizza from KJ Nosh Catering, the Locker Room, Papa Joe's, Papa John's, PortaVia, Shire Tavern, and Zucco's Family Restaurant, as well as music. This year will also include a chance auction. Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite pizza in several different categories. Tickets can be
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Pittsfield's Park Square Eyed for Historic District By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
12:20PM / Saturday, May 10, 2025 | |
 PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Could Pittsfield have a historic district? A local panel will explore the idea.
On Monday, the Historical Commission agreed to start the long and winding road that could lead to designating Park Square (or other properties) as a historical district, which preserves and protects buildings and places with historical significance.
The commission will gather additional information about the designation and possibly invite a presenter to explore it at a future meeting.
"We have to really think about this," City Planner Kevin Rayner said.
"…There's a long, windy road in front of us here to do this, but I think for some of these
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Governor Launches $25 Million Scholarship Program for Behavioral Health Graduate Students | 11:01AM / Saturday, May 10, 2025 | |
BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced that they have launched a two-year $25 million scholarship program for graduate students completing degrees or certificates in behavioral health fields. Applications are now open for the first round of scholarship funds, totaling $12 million for the 2024-2025 academic year. Awards will be retroactive to the fall 2024 semester. Advanced degrees are required for many careers in behavioral health, particularly for licensed and certified roles providing clinical care. This program aims to reduce the financial barrier for students, growing a diverse behavioral health workforce in Massachusetts.? "In order to 0 Comments
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